5^ 


vV\>t^^^i 


5//^^. 


PRINCETON,  N.  J.  "^^ 


BX  9225  .M265  M26  1900 
McMaster,  John  Stevenson, 

1859-1928? 
A  sketch  of  Rev.  Samuel 

McMaster  


a  Sketch  of 

1Re\>.  Samuel  /Iftc/lhaster. 

1744*18X1. 


A.    J.    DOAN,    PRINTER, 

JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J. 

1800. 


TO 
THE  MKMOKY  OF  MY  FATHEH, 

John   T,    B.   McMastee.    M.   D. 

THIS   SKETCH  OF  HIS  OHANDFATHER 
IS  IKTBORIBED. 


A  SKETCH  OF 

Reverend  Samuel  McMaster, 

PASTOR  DURING  THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  PERIOD  OF  THE 
OLDEST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA; 

PASTOR  AND    EXECUTOR    OF    MADAME    ANNE    HOLDEN, 
DAUGHTER  OF  REVEREND  FRANCIS  MAKEMIE; 

FOUNDER    OF    THE    McMASTER    FAMILY     OF    THE 
EASTERN  SHORE  OF  MARYLAND. 


BY  JOHN  STEVENSON  McMAST:ER. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1744  and  died  in  181 1. 
The  age  therefore  in  which  he  lived  was  the  one  when  Great 
Britain  and  her  colonies  were  being  ruled  by  George  III.  and 
George  IV.,  Prussia  by  Frederick  the  Great,  France  by  Louis 
XV.,  Louis  XVI.  and  Napoleon  I.,  and  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica by  Presidents  Washington,  Adams,  Jefferson  and  Madison. 

It  was  a  period  of  great  strife  and  furnished  these  great 
wars:  the  French  Revolution,  the  numerous  campaigns  and  ex- 
ploits of  Napoleon  I.,  the  Seven  Years  War,  the  American  Revo- 
lution, and  numerous  Indian  Wars. 

Born  in  Scotland,  Great  Britain,  and  coming  to  America 
about  1765  and  remaining  in  America  until  his  death,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  experienced  fully  the  four  periods  of  the  American 
Revolution,  viz.: 

1 763-1 776 — Causes  and  Beginnings. 

1 776-1783 — Winning  Independence. 

1783-1789 — Critical  Period. 

1789-1815 — Period  of  Weakness. 

At  the  time  of  liis  death  the  war  of  18 12  was  brewing,  and 
Napoleon  I.  was  in  the  zenith  of  his  glory. 


He  was  familiar  therefore  with  the  cry  of  "  No  taxation  with- 
out representation,"  and  with  the  words  and  works  of  Washing- 
ton, Hamilton,  Jefferson,  Marshall,  Madison,  Franklin,  Adams, 
Henry,  Lafayette,  Cornwallis,  Arnold,  Andre  and  the  host  of 
other  public  men.  He  forcibly  advocated  the  observance  of  all 
the  days  of  fasting  peculiar  to  this  period  and  to  him  it  seemed 
eminently  proper  to  preach  in  his  several  churches  sermons  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  proclamation  of  Congress  setting  apart  a  day  of 
Thanksgiving  "for  the  estimable  blessings  received  of  Almighty 
God  and  for  the  capture  of  Cornwallis." 

He  saw  the  country  of  Washington,  then  about  like  Denmark 
now,  become  larger  and  wealthier  after  the  great  Louisiana  pur- 
chase by  Jefferson,  and  knew  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Balti- 
more when  they  were  little  more  than  towns. 

It  was  the  period  when  there  were  no  railroads,  no  steam- 
boats, and  but  few  books  in  i^merica,  and  when  the  Indians  were 
still  troublesome  in  Ohio  and  Georgia. 

The  seat  of  government  had  begun  at  New  York,  and  gone 
thence  to  Philadelphia,  and  thence  to  Washington. 

When  he  began  to  preach  in  Maryland,  in  the  churches  es- 
tablished by  Francis  Makemie,  that  founder  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  America  had  been  dead  nearly  seventy  years,  and  his 
churches  had  found  it  hard  to  survive  the  Revolution  and  the 
Tories. 

The  only  one  of  Makemie' s  descendants  then  living  was  his 
rich,  childless  and  aged  widowed  daughter,  Madame  Anne  Holden. 
She  lived  in  Accomack  County,  Virginia  not  far  from  Pitts'  Creek 
Church,  was  a  most  pronounced  patriot,  and  deeply  interested  in 
the  welfare  of  the  churches  established  by  her  father. 

The  missionaries  in  this  part  of  Maryland  were  at  this  time 
few  in  number  and  were  crying  for  helpers,  and  "  at  no  time  per- 
haps had  so  great  a  want  of  interest  been  manifested  among  all 
classes  in  religious  matters." 

So  much  for  the  cotemporary  period.  Other  facts  about  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  are  briefly  as  follows: 

Rev.  Samuel  McMaster  (commonly  called  Parson  McMaster) 
was  born  September  lo,  1744,  in  Scotland,  Great  Britain,  but  just 
where  in  Scotland  I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain.  Nor  have  I 
been  able  to  learn  anything  whatever  about  his  parents  or  other  an- 
cestors.   It  is  believed  that  they  were  ' '  poor  but  respectable."  He 


may  have  been  born  at  Ardgour,  in  Argyllshire,  Scotland,  which 
was  the  first  home  of  the  McMasters.  Those  of  that  name  now 
reside  chiefly  in  Lochaber  and  Wigtonshire,  Scotland.  He  emi- 
grated from  Scotland  to  some  place  near  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania, 
about  the  year  1765,  and  when  he  was  about  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  It  was  banishment  "for  conscience  sake,"  and  in  order  to 
reach  America  he  was  compelled  to  work  his  passage  on  ship 
board.  There  came  with  him,  and  settled  near  Carlisle,  two 
brothers  (who  died  bachelors)  and  a  sister  who  married  a  Mr. 
MuUins  and  by  him  had  a  sou  who  became  a  Methodist  minister. 
Concerning  these  two  brothers  and  this  sister  and  her  family  I 
have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  further. 

About  1770,  at  the  age  of  26  years,  and  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  Delaware,  he  became  a  student  in  the 
Academy  at  Newark,  Delaware,  the  then  leading  "Old  School" 
Presbyterian  Academy  in  North  America,  and  the  rival  at  one 
time  of  Princeton  College,  which  was  founded  by  the  Presbyteri- 
ans of  the  ' '  New  School. ' '  He  graduated  from  the  Newark  Acad- 
emy in  1774,  at  the  age  of  30  years. 

At  this  time  the  Presbytery  of  IvCwes,  Delaware,  appealed  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle  for  religious  laborers.  "  Two  noble- 
hearted  young  men  caught  the  echo  of  this  '  Macedonian  cry,'  and 
responded  at  once  to  the  pressing  appeal.  These  were  Samuel 
McMaster  and  John  Rankin." 

Accordingly,  on  April  26,  1774,  he  was  recommended  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  Delaware,  to  the  Presbytery  of  Lewes, 
Delaware,  ' '  in  order  to  trial  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry. ' '  The 
original  of  this  certificate  of  recommendation  I  have  seen.  It  is 
now  in  the  custody  of  Miss  Margaret  R.  Spence  with  other  early 
records  of  the  Snow  Hill  Church. 

On  October  25,  1774,  as  "a  piece  of  trial,"  an  exegesis  on 
this  question  was  appointed  him:  "  Quonam  seJisis  pecatorem  fides 
justificatT^  (To  what  extent  does  faith  justify  one  who  errs  in 
doctrine?)  This  trial  discourse  was  heard  and  approved  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Lewes  on  November  29,  1775. 

On  March  26,  1776,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Lewes,  and  on  the  next  day  (March  27,  1776)  he  delivered 
at  Dover,  Delaware,  a  popular  sermon  on  Col.  3rd  and  3rd,  "  For 
ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God." 

On  April  24,  1778,  he  acted  as  Clerk  pro  tern,  of  the  Session 


of  the  Snow  Hill,  Maryland,  Presbyterian  Church,  and  preached 
from  March  27,  1776,  to  April  20,  1779,  as  a  supply,  for  "the 
Presbyterian  Dissenting  Congregation  near  Snow  Hill  town." 

On  April  20,  1779,  he  was  ordained  at  the  Buckingham  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Berlin,  Maryland,  as  Pastor  over  the  "  United 
Congregations  of  Snow  Hill  and  Pitts'  Creek,"  in  which  connec- 
tion, and  as  Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Rehoboth,  Maryland,  he  re- 
mained thirty-one  years,  viz.:  from  April  20,  1779,  to  shortly  be- 
fore his  death,  in  181 1. 

On  August  6,  1 78 1,  he  married  Nancy  Gillet,  he  being  37 
years  of  age  and  she  18  years  of  age, 

Nancy  Gillet,  said  to  be  a  refined,  gentle  and  excellent  woman, 
was  the  daughter  of  Ayres  Gillet  and  Mary  Ann,  his  first  wife, 
who  were  people  of  respectability,  prominence  and  comfortable 
circumstances,  and  who  then  resided  on  a  farm  on  the  seaside  near 
Horntown,  Accomack  County,  Virginia. 

Nancy  was  an  own  sister  of  the  late  Col.  James  Gillet,  of  Ac- 
comack County,  Virginia,  Ayres  Gillet's  second  wife  was  Tabi- 
tha  Wise,  whose  first  husband,  John  Wise,  was  grandfather  of 
the  late  Governor  Henry  A,  Wise,  of  Virginia.  Nancy's  half 
sister,  Tabitha,  married  John  Custis,  Sr,,  of  Deep  Creek,  father  of 
Mrs.  Catharine  Parker  Wharton  (Custis)  Poulson,  of  Onancock, 
Virginia.  Judge  John  William  Gillet,  of  Accomack  Court  House, 
was  a  son  of  Nancy's  half  brother  William  Gillet. 

Samuel  and  Nancy  McMaster  had  seven  children,  viz.:  four 
boys  (William,  James,  Samuel  and  John  Gillet)  and  three  girls 
(Mary,  Nancy  and  MoUie  Gillet).  Of  these  seven  only  three, 
(William,  James  and  Samuel)  attained  their  majority;  the  rest  dy- 
ing before  attaining  the  age  of  four  years.  William  and  James 
became  physicians,  and  Samuel  a  farmer  and  tanner. 

On  December  21,  1801,  Nancy  died,  at  the  age  of  38  years. 

Within  one  year  thereafter  (thus  following  the  example  of 
the  widow  of  Francis  Makemie)  viz.:  on  July  22,  1802,  Parson 
McMaster  (then  58  years  old)  married  Sarah  Ayers,  daughter  of 
John  Ayers  and  Janette  (Martin)  Ayers,  and  granddaughter  of 
Robert  and  Mary  Martin,  all  people  of  much  worth  and  promi- 
nence, 

Robert  rendered  valuable  services  during  the  Revolution. 
The  late  Dr.  John  S.  Martin,  of  Worcester  County,  Maryland, 
was  of  this  family.     Of  this  marriage  there  was  no  issue.     Sarah 


was  born  near  Snow  Hill,  Maryland,  and  died  in  1841,  having 
survived  the  Parson  about  30  years.  She  lived  after  her  marriage 
and  until  her  death  on  the  McMaster  Homestead  Farm  (near  Po- 
comoke,  Maryland)  with  her  step-son,  Samuel  McMaster,  and  his 
family.  She  was  a  woman  of  much  force  and  positiveness  of 
character. 

During  all  the  thirty- five  years  (as  supply  and  pastor)  Parson 
McMaster  was  preaching  in  the  three  churches  at  Snow  Hill, 
Pitts'  Creek  and  Rehoboth,  his  only  charge,  he  appears  to  have 
lived  but  in  three  places,  viz.:  before  his  marriage,  at  Snow  Hill, 
Maryland,  and  after  his  marriage,  at  Poplar  Grove,  Accomack 
County,  Virginia,  and  on  the  Homestead  Farm  near  Pocomoke. 
This  farm  was  conveniently  located  for  the  three  churches  he  was 
serving,  and  at  the  same  time  near  his  first  wife's  birthplace  and 
relatives. 

At  each  place  of  residence  he  conducted  a  private  school,  then 
known  as  a  "  Latin  School. ' '  Among  his  pupils  at  Poplar  Grove, 
and  the  pupil  who  had  the  fastest  horse,  was  the  father  of  the  late 
Governor  Wise  of  Virginia. 

The  dwelling  house  upon  this  farm  is  patterned  after  some  of 
the  most  interesting  farm  dwellings  in  Accomack  County,  Virginia, 
and  is  unlike  such  houses  in  Maryland.  One  of  the  photographs 
of  this  house,  taken  of  late  years,  is  in  my  possession. 

The  semi-detached  two  story  brick  building  at  the  east  end  of 
this  house  was  the  parson's  study  and  school  rooms. 

This  farm,  known  as  Fouke's  Choice,  and  later  as  Goshen, 
and  containing  206  acres,  the  parson  bought  from  George  Steven- 
son and  his  wife,  Sarah,  April  28,  1788,  for  618  pounds  sterling 
($3,090,)  it  having  been  devised  to  said  George  by  the  will  of  his 
father,  Joseph  Stevenson.  This  farm  was  devised  by  the  will  of 
Parson  McMaster  to  his  son,  Samuel,  after  whose  death  it  was  sold 
by  Samuel's  heirs  to  Isaac  Harris,  the  father  of  the  present  owner, 
Mrs.  George  Bayne,  who  only  a  short  time  ago  sold  the  timber  on 
this  farm  (mostly  first  growth)  to  Edgar  W.  McMaster,  a  great 
grandson  of  Parson  McMaster. 

His  salary  from  the  Snow  Hill  Church  for  the  years  1781  to 
1792  inclusive  (12  years)  averaged  about  $160  a  year.  I  do  not 
know  the  amount  he  received  from  the  other  two  churches. 

He  wrote  a  history  of  the  Rehoboth  Church,  a  copy  of  which 
history,  and  possibly  the  only  copy,  (now  unfortunately  lost),  was 


in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Irving  Spence,  at  the  time  he  wrote  his 
"  Early  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church."  The  quotation 
from  this  history  which  Mr.  Spence  gives  is  as  follows:  "The 
first  congregation  which  worshipped  at  Rehoboth  consisted  of 
English  Dissenters.  A  few  families  migrated  from  England,  their 
consciences  not  suffering  them  to  comply  with  the  establishment 
then  existing,  and  settled  near  the  mouth  of  Pocomoke  River  and 
the  adjacent  parts;  some  on  the  east  and  some  on  the  west  side 
of  the  river,  at  a  place  called  Rehoboth."  This  was  likely  the 
first  history  of  this  oldest  Presbyterian  Church  in  America,  and 
in  compiling  it  Parson  McMaster  was  undoubtedly  assisted  by 
Francis  Makemie's  daughter,  Madame  Anne  Holden. 

At  the  time  of  his  death.  Parson  McMaster  left  a  number  of 
his  sermons  and  other  writings  and  books  in  his  residence  on  his 
homestead  farm  near  Pocomoke,  but  these  writings  were  subse- 
quently destroyed  by  fire.  The  only  writings  of  his  therefore 
known  to  me  to  be  in  existence  now  are  certain  extracts  in  the 
minutes  of  the  churches  at  Lewes  and  Snow  Hill,  and  certain  legal 
documents,  connected  with  the  settlement  of  certain  estates  in 
the  County  Clerk's  offices  at  Snow  Hill  and  Accomack  Court 
House,  and  his  signature  to  his  interesting  will.  All  the  many 
books  also,  except  the  family  Bible,  referred  to  with  great  partic- 
ularity in  his  will,  seem  to  be  scattered  or  lost.  This  Bible  is  now 
owned  by  Edgar  W.  McMaster,  of  Worcester  County,  Maryland. 

The  early  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  Delaware, 
and  of  the  Pitts'  Creek  and  Rehoboth  Churches  and  of  the  New- 
ark Academy,  Delaware,  are  also  lost.  Not  so  however  the  rec- 
ords of  the  Snow  Hill  Church  during  the  Revolutionary  period. 
What  a  monument  these  losses  are  to  some  one's  carelessness. 
And  how  they  suggest  that  every  church  where  possible  ought  to 
have  fire- proof  safes  for  the  keeping  of  its  records. 

In  politics,  Parson  McMaster  was  a  strong  Whig,  and 
preached  some  vigorous  sermons  during  the  Revolution,  denounc- 
ing the  British  and  the  American  Tories. 

During  most  of  the  long  pastorate  of  Parson  McMaster  over 
the  churches  at  Snow  Hill,  Pitts'  Creek  and  Rehoboth,  Rev.  John 
Rankin  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Berlin  and  of  a 
nearby  church  in  Delaware,  and  Rev.  Jacob  Ker  was  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Churches  at  Manokin  (Princess  Anne)  and  at  Wi- 
comico.    Messrs.  McMaster,  Rankin  and  Ker  were  warm  friends. 


and  used  to  assist  each  other,  especially  on  Communion  Sundays. 
Mr.  Ker  married  Parson  McMaster  to  Nancy  Gillet,  and  Parson 
McMaster  married  Mr.  Rankin  to  Polly  Atkinson.  All  had  long 
pastorates,  viz.,  Mr.  Rankin  23  years  as  suppl}'  and  pastor;  Mr. 
Ker  31  years  as  pastor,  and  Mr.  McMaster  35  years  as  supply  and 
pastor. 

Mr.  Rankin  was  born  in  Newark,  Delaware,  March  22,  1750, 
"  of  (it  is  believed)  poor  but  respectable  parents;"  was  a  school- 
mate at  Newark  Academy  (though  he  did  not  graduate)  of  Parson 
McMaster,  and  came  with  him  to  the  Presbytery  of  Lewes;  was  an 
able,  eloquent  and  successful  preacher;  served  the  Berlin  Church, 
his  only  charge,  as  supply  and  pastor  from  1775  to  1798  (23 
years);  and  left  among  his  descendants  the  late  Judge  John  R. 
Franklin,  of  Snow  Hill,  whose  mother,  Sarah  A.,  was  a  daughter 
of  said  John  Rankin. 

Mr.  Ker's  grandfather,  Walter  Ker,  was  banished  from  Scot- 
land in  the  reign  of  James  II.  (1685)  along  with  hundreds  of  other 
Scotch  Presbyterians.  Mr.  Ker  was  born  in  Monmouth  County, 
New  Jersey;  graduated  at  Princeton  College;  was  pastor  of  Man- 
okin  and  Wicomico  Churches  from  1764  to  1795,  (31  years);  was 
also  an  able  and  successful  pastor;  and  left  among  his  descendants, 
the  descendants  of  the  late  William  Handy,  of  Princess  Anne, 
whose  wife,  Betsy,  was  a  daughter  of  said  Jacob  Ker. 

In  1783,  Rev.  Dr.  Alexander  McWharter  was  chosen  Princi- 
pal of  the  Washington  Academy  at  Princess  Anne,  and  Parson 
McMaster  delivered  (for  Mr.  Jacob  Ker)  to  Dr.  McWharter  the 
notice  of  his  appointment  aforesaid. 

Parson  McMaster  (his  name  in  the  synod  records  through  a 
common  error  generally  spelled  McMasters)  sat  in  Synod  in  Phil- 
adelphia in  1783  and  1787.  His  absence  in  the  meantime  was  due 
to  the  unsettled  state  of  the  country  at  the  time. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1794  and  1806, 
and  each  time  served  on  the  Committee  of  Bills  and  Overtures. 

Madame  Anne  Holden  "  old  and  decrepit,"  died  January  29, 
1788,  possessed  of  a  large  estate,  and  made  Parson  McMaster  one 
of  the  executors  thereunder,  and  also  a  legatee.  By  her  will, 
dated  November  15,  1787,  she  also  made  Rev.  Jacob  Ker  and  the 
Pitts'  Creek  Presbyterian  Church  legatees.  To  Mr.  Ker  .she  gave 
20  pounds  ($100);  to  Mr.  McMaster  "the  sum  of  46  pounds 
($230),  a  mahogany  desk,  a  bed  and  furniture  and  a  negro  woman 


lO 

called  Keziah  and  her  children;"  "to  the  good  poor"  of  her 
neighborhood  50  pounds  ($250);  and  to  the  Pitts'  Creek  Church 
"  100  pounds  ($500)  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  session  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  minister." 

The  inventory  of  her  estate  contains  the  names  of  78  negroes, 
also  mentioning  the  mahogany  desk  aforesaid,  left  to  Parson  Mc- 
Master,  and  appraised  at  six  pounds  ($30).  This  desk  was  left 
by  Parson  McMaster  by  will  to  his  son  Samuel  McMaster  (my 
grandfather)  after  whose  death  and  at  whose  vendue  it  was  pur- 
chased by  the  late  John  B.  White,  of  Somerset  County,  Maryland. 
In  1883  it  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  L-  P.  Bowen, 
(author  of  "  The  Days  of  Makemie"),  who  in  1900  presented  this 
desk,  as  a  memorial  of  his  wife,  to  the  Union  Theological  Sem- 
inary of  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  at  the  time  published  in  the 
Central  Presbyterian  of  that  city  the  history  of  this  desk,  a  copy 
of  which  publication  appears  at  the  end  of  this  sketch.  This  desk 
is  the  only  known  relic  of  the  Makemie  family  in  existence. 

Parson  McMaster  was  a  writer  of  "  good  sermons,"  a  psalm 
singer,  and  a  pleasant  and  forcible  speaker,  and  in  personal  ap- 
pearance and  manner  was  something  over  medium  height  and 
weight,  with  smooth  face  and  bald  head;  bright,  kind,  laughing 
eyes,  soft  voice,  sprightly  and  gentle  manner  and  good  natured 
and  jovial.     No  picture  of  him  is  known  to  be  in  existence. 

He  owned  one  of  the  first  gigs  in  the  county,  and  once  upon 
passing  through  Poplartown,  and  doubtless  on  his  way  to  see  Rev. 
John  Rankin  in  Berlin,  some  boys  jumped  on  the  rear  of  the  gig 
and  upset  the  gig  and  the  parson  in  a  puddle  of  water;  whereupon 
the  parson  good  naturedly  remarked,  "  Well,  boys,  you  are  trying 
to  make  a  Baptist  of  me!" 

Like  the  Scotch  preacher  of  his  day,  he  had  his  toddy  for 
Christmas  and  other  great  days,  and  like  Rev.  John  Rankin,  and 
without  bringing  reproach  on  the  church  or  the  ministry,  played 
upon  the  flute  and  the  violin,  notwithstanding  the  existing  pre- 
judice against  "fiddling."  Such  musical  talent  descended  to 
several  of  his  children  and  grandchildren. 

The  late  Hugh  Stevenson,  of  Pocomoke,  Maryland,  told  me 
that  he  was  christened  by  Parson  McMaster  at  Snow  Hill. 

On  May  25,  181 1,  at  his  farm  near  Pocomoke,  Parson  Mc- 
Master died,  aged  67  years,  leaving  him  surviving,  (i)  his  second 
wife  and  widow,  Sarah;  (2)  his  son,  Dr.  James  McMaster  (then  27 


II 

years  old)  and  his  wife  and  their  child,  Samuel  H.  K.  McMaster, 
(then  8  months  old);  (3)  his  son,  Samuel  McMaster,  (then  22 
years  old  and  unmarried);  and  (4)  his  two  grandchildren  (children 
of  Dr.  William  McMaster,  deceased),  Elizabeth  A.  McMaster 
(then  5  years  old)  and  William  S.  McMaster  (then  3  years  old) 
and  their  widowed  mother.  Of  the  nature  of  his  last  illness,  I 
have  been  unable  to  learn  anything. 

His  will  was  probated  at  Snow  Hill,  Maryland,  on  May  27, 
181 1,  and  with  some  changes  in  the  spelling  is  as  follows: 

In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen: 

I,  Samuel  McMaster,  of  Worcester  County,  State  of  Mary- 
land, being  weak  in  body,  but  of  sound  and  disposing  mind, 
memory  and  understanding,  do  make,  constitute  and  ordain  this 
my  last  will  and  testament  in  manner  and  form  following,  viz. : 

Imprimis,  I  give  by  loan  to  my  wife,  Sarah  McMaster,  the 
plantation  whereon  I  now  live  (excepting  twenty  acres,  to  be 
hereinafter  described,  the  hall  room  and  the  off  kitchen)  for  the 
term  of  five  years,  and  after  that  term,  only  one-third  part  or  legal 
dower.  I  give  to  her  my  horse  and  carriage,  negro  boy  called 
Henry,  a  negro  boy  called  James,  to  be  at  her  disposal  to  which 
of  my  two  sons  James  or  Samuel  stand  most  in  need  of  them. 
The  said  negroes  to  revert  to  my  family  after  the  decease  of  my 
wife.  I  give  to  her  two  feather  beds  and  the  furniture  thereunto 
belonging;  by  furniture  I  mean  the  bedstead,  cord  and  mat,  two 
pairs  of  sheets  and  what  upper  covering  is  necessary.  One  yoke 
of  oxen  and  yoke,  cart  and  chain,  a  plough  and  harness,  three 
milch  cows,  a  bureau,  a  small  black  trunk,  six  flag  chairs,  six 
Windsor  chairs,  six  head  of  hogs,  six  head  of  sheep,  Walker's  and 
Dare's  Sermons.  The  property  lent  during  the  term  specified  to 
her  free  and  undisturbed  possession  of,  without  any  molestation 
whatever;  and  all  the  rest  except  the  negroes  to  be  at  her  own 
disposal. 

Item  (2).  I  give  unto  my  son  James  McMaster,  a  negro 
woman  called  Phillis  and  her  increase,  one  girl  called  Fanny,  and 
a  negro  boy  called  Stephen,  and  after  ray  wife's  decease  two  boys 
called  Henry  and  James,  one  sulky  carriage,  one  feather  bed  and 
furniture  thereunto  belonging;  Burket  on  the  New  Testament, 
Ridgly's  Body  of  Divinity,  Witherspoon's  Works,  and  Mosheim's 
Church  History,  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever. 


12 

Item  (3).  I  give  unto  my  son  Samuel  McMaster,  after  the 
loan  before  mentioned,  the  house  and  plantation  whereon  I  now 
live,  with  the  privileges  and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging; 
also  five  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  Tanyard  most  convenient; 
also  fifteen  acres  in  the  old  field,  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  a  lane 
next  the  branch,  thence  up  the  lane  as  the  road  now  goes  to  the 
bars,  thence  southerly  through  the  field,  thence  westerly  to  the 
branch  in  such  manner  as  to  include  fifteen  acres  by  the  edge  of 
the  branch  and  high  ground  to  the  first  beginning,  which  said 
twenty  acres  he  is  to  have  immediate  and  quiet  possession  of,  to- 
gether with  the  hall  room  and  off  kitchen;  also  a  negro  man  called 
Meshack,  another  called  Dublin,  and  a  negro  boy  called  Cato, 
two  feather  beds  and  furniture  thereunto  belonging,  a  desk,  six 
Windsor  chairs,  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  yoke  and  chain,  one  plough 
and  harness,  two  milch  cows,  six  sheep  and  six  hogs,  Henry's 
Commentaries  on  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  Brown's  Family 
Bible,  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

Item  (4.)  I  give  to  my  grandchildren,  Elizabeth  Ann  Mc- 
Master, sixty  dollars,  and  to  William  Samuel  McMaster, 
sixty  dollars,  to  be  paid  them  when  they  arrive  at  full  age,  or  to 
their  guardian,  when  they  stand  in  need  of  it,  but  if  one  should 
die,  then  the  other  to  have  the  whole. 

Item  (5.)  I  will  and  desire  that  an  old  negro  man  called  (or 
commonly  known  in  the  family  by  the  name  of  Great  Billy)  and 
a  negro  woman  called  Keziah,  to  live  upon  the  land  and  be  under 
the  direction  and  control  of  my  son  Samuel,  not  that  they  are  to 
be  liberated,  but  to  work  for  him  in  as  moderate  manner  in  pro- 
portion to  their  age  and  infirmities,  and  to  be  comfortably  clothed 
and  supported. 

Item  (6.)  I  give  the  rest  of  my  estate,  after  my  just  debts  are 
paid,  to  be  equally  divided  between  my  wife  and  two  sons,  James 
and  Samuel  McMaster. 

Lastly  (7.;  I  nominate,  constitute  and  appoint  my  sons  James 
and  Samuel  McMaster,  joint  and  sole  executors  of  this  my  last 
Will  and  Testament. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed 
my  seal  this  nineteenth  day  of  March,  Anno  Domini,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eleven. 

SAMUEL  McMASTER.         [seal.] 


13 

Signed,  sealed  and  acknowledged  by  the  "j 
Testator,  Samuel  McMaster  in  the  v 
presence  of  us  and  at  his  request.  j 

Thomas  Harris. 
John  Gillet. 
John  Stevenson. 

The  desk  referred  to  in  Item  r3)  above  is  the  Makemie  desk, 
and  the  negro  woman  called  Keziah  referred  to  in  Item  (5)  above 
is  the  same  Keziah  who,  with  her  children,  was  also  given  to 
Parson  McMaster  by  the  will  of  Madame  Holden, 

"  The  negro  man  called  Meshack  was  a  crank  on  the  subject 
of  religion  and  conjuration,"  and  spent  his  last  days  at  my  uncle 
Samuel  S.  McMaster's  farm  at  Cottingham's  Ferry,  Maryland. 

Certain  physical  peculiarities  of  certain  of  the  other  negroes 
named  ia  Parson  McMaster's  will,  appear  in  the  court  records  at 
Accomack  Court  House,  Virginia. 

Parson  McMaster  was,  in  accordance  with  the  unfortunate 
custom  of  his  times  and  neighborhood,  buried,  as  was  Rev.  Fran- 
cis Makemie,  in  the  yard  about  the  dwelling  on  his  farm  near 
Pocomoke.  His  grave  (as  unfortunately  is  Makemie's  grave  to 
this  day)  as  well  as  that  of  several  others  of  the  famil}''  buried 
there,  was  unmarked  until  about  1870,  when  a  family  tomb  was 
placed  there  by  certain  of  his  descendants.  In  1896  the  remains 
in  this  graveyard  were  removed  to  the  Presbyterian  Cemetery  at 
Pocomoke,  Maryland,  and  in  1895  a  memorial  tablet  placed  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  that  place  bearing  this  inscription: 

In   memory  of 

Rev.  Samuel  McMaster, 

B.  1744.      D.  181 1. 

Pastor  of  Pitts'   Creek  Presbyterian  Church 

From  1779  to  18 10, 

and  during  same  period  pastor 

of  the  Presbyterian  Churches 

at  Snow  Hill  and  Rehoboth. 


14 

Thus  I  bring  to  an  end  this  brief  sketch  of  "an  active  life 
well  spent"  and  full  of  successes,  despite  the  many  obstacles  in- 
cident to  the  troublous  times  in  which  he  lived  and  the  extended 
and  sparsely  settled  territory  embraced  within  his  circuit.  He 
ever  kept  burning  upon  the  sacred  altars,  as  best  he  could,  the 
fires  started  by  Francis  Makemie,  and  so  merited  and  won  the 
praise  of  God  and  His  church,  and  the  admiration  of  a  line  of 
worthy  descendants,  who  hold  dear  his  memory. 

Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  July  4th,  1895. 
(Revised  August,  igooj. 

AUTHORITIES. 

1.  Minutes  of  the  Session  of  Snow  Hill  Church,  Maryland. 

2.  Minutes  of  the  Session  of  Lewes  Church,  Delaware. 

3.  Minutes  of  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  General  As- 
sembly. 

4.  Diary  of  Mary  Spence  (great-great-aunt  of  Miss  Margaret 
R.  Spence,  of  Snow  Hill).     See  the  extracts  therefrom  hereto  an- 
nexed. 

5.  Spence's  "Early  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church." 

6.  "The  Days  of  Makemie,"  by  Rev.  L.  P.  Bowen. 

7.  Sprague's  Annals  of  the  American  Pulpit. 

8.  Gillett's  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

9.  Court  Records  at  Snow  Hill,  Maryland. 

10.  Court  Records  at  Accomack  Court  House,  Virginia. 

11.  Records  of  Custis  and  Gillet  Families  by  Hon.  John  W. 
Gillet. 

12.  Records  of  Martin  Family  by  Hon.  William  R.  Martin. 

13.  Minutes  of  Washington  Academy,  Princess  Anne,  Mary- 
land. 

14.  Letters  from  various  descendants  of  Rev.  Samuel  McMas- 
ter,  and  from  others. 

15.  Well  established  family  tradition. 

16.  Fiske's  History  of  the  United  States. 


15 


Extracts  from  the  Diary  of  Mary  Spence,  Con= 

cerning  Rev.  Samuel  McMaster, 

From  1779  to  1782. 


June  9,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Isaiah,  5th 
Chapter,  nth  verse,  the  first  clause  of  verse.  In  the  afternoon 
on  the  same  text.  One  head  of  doctrine  in  first  sermon.  Mr.  Mc- 
Master came  from  John  Davies  that  morning,  it  being  the  Sab- 
bath of  the  Sacrament  at  Buckingham.  Mr.  McMaster  gave  out 
that  he  should  preach  once  a  fortnight  till  the  end  of  July. 

July  18,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Malachi,  4th  Chapter,  and  2nd  verse.  Three  heads  of  doctrine. 
In  the  afternoon,  text,  Jonah,  ist  Chapter,  6th  verse.  Two 
heads  of  doctrine.  He  gave  out  word  that  Saturday  the  pews 
would  be  disposed  of. 

Aug.  I,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  forenoon, 
Genesis,  24th  Chapter,  63d  verse.  In  the  afternoon,  text.  Rev., 
2ist  Chapter,  7th  verse,  and  three  heads  of  doctrine.  He  told 
what  to  overcome  and  how  we  should  become  saints.  He  came 
from  Captain  Rankin's  that  morning. 

Oct.  12,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Proverbs,  22nd  Chapter,  23rd  verse — a  very  good  sermon. 

Nov.  14,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
2nd  Peter,  3rd  Chapter,  and  i8th  verse.  The  parson  gave  out 
word  that  Mr.  Ker  and  himself  should  administer  the  sacrament 
at  Vienna  this  day  week.  Mr.  McMaster  received  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Rankin  this  day. 

Dec.  19,  1779. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  We  were  too  late 
for  the  text,  but  it  was  2nd  Peter,  3rd  Chapter,  and  about  three 
verses. 

Jan.  2,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  ought  to  have  preached  but 
bad  weather  prevented. 

Jan.  15,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  ist  Samuel, 
7th  Chapter,  and  13th  verse.  "Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped 
us."     Sung  but  one  psalm.     Nothing  remarkable  happened. 

Jan.  30,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  A  cold  winter  this, 
1779  and  1780. 


i6 

Frb.  14,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  from  ist  Cor.,  '  'For 
we  shall  appear  before  the  judgment  seat  to  give  an  account  of 
the  things  done  in  the  body,"  and  a  very  good  sermon.  After- 
wards he  went  and  married  two  couples.  Then  the  parson  went 
to  John  Wise's. 

March  26,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill. 
Text,  Psalms,  31st,  and  23rd  verse,  and  first  clause.  Baptized  a 
child,  and  gave  out  word  that  he  should  not  preach  till  that  day 
three  weeks. 

April  16,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  St.  John, 
6th  Chapter,  and  44th  verse.  He  read  a  proclamation  of  Congress 
of  a  Fast  Day  to  be  the  26th  of  April,  not  only  as  a  request  of 
Congress,  but  from  a  sense  of  the  need  for  imploring  the  God  of 
the  whole  earth  for  help. 

May  14,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Solomon's 
Song,  3rd  Chapter,  9th  and  loth  verses — three  heads  of  doctrine. 
A  pretty  good  sermon.     It  was  Whit-Sunday. 

May  28,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  2nd  Cor., 
5th  Chapter,  17th  verse.  A  good  sermon.  In  his  application, 
advised  them  for  their  instruction  to  read  the  7th  of  Romans.  He 
sung  a  fine  psalm — 126th,  common  metre. 

June  23,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  morning  and  after- 
noon.    Good  sermons,  they  said. 

July  9,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  St.  John,  6th 
Chapter,  37th  verse,  latter  clause,  one  text  for  both  sermons. 
Good  sermons.  Sung  Brother  Adam's  psalm.  A  good  many 
people  out.     The  parson  came  here  and  stayed  all  night. 

July  23,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached,  and  gave  out  that 
the  next  Sunday  he  would  administer  the  Sacrament  at  Pitts' 
Creek. 

July  30,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  went  and  administered  the 
Sacrament  at  Pitts'  Creek.  The  parson  had  no  assistant,  for  Mr. 
Ker  was  in  Dorchester,  preaching  Col.  John  Henry's  wife,  Dolly's, 
funeral  sermon.     She  departed  some  weeks  before  that. 

Aug.  6,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Isaiah,  5th 
Chapter  and  6th  verse,  middle  clause — "  And  I  will  make  an  ever- 
lasting covenant  with  you" — and  in  the  afternoon,  text,  St.  John, 
3rd  Chapter,  30th  verse — "He  must  increase,  but  I  must  de- 
crease." He  gave  out  word  that  he  should  not  preach  till  this 
day  four  weeks,  for  he  was  to  preach  at  Rehoboth. 


17 

Sept.  3,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Jude,  ist 
verse.  Explained  only  two  heads  of  doctrine.  He  preached  only 
one  sermon.  Mr.  McMaster  married  Rev.  Mr.  Rankin  to  Polly 
Atkinson  the  Thursday  before. 

Sept.  17,  1780. — Sabbath  of  Sacrament.  Sung  verses  of 
suitable  psalms.  Mr.  McMaster  preached.  There  were  three 
full  tables,  and  Mr.  McMaster  served  two  of  them. 

Oct.  14,  1780. — Hannah  Hall  departed  this  life,  and  was 
buried  at  her  father's,  next  day.  Mr.  McMaster  waited  on  the 
corpse.     He  spoke  a  great  many  good  things  at  her  grave, 

Oct.  15,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Matt.,  1 6th  Chapter  and  i8th  verse.  We  were  almost  too  late. 
The  parson  gave  out  word  that  he  should  not  preach  here  till  this 
day  four  weeks,  as  he  was  going  to  preach  at  Rehoboth. 

Nov.  26,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Jude,  the 
ist  verse,  on  predestination.  He  left  two  heads  of  doctrine  for 
another  day.  He  gave  out  word  he  should  preach  at  Pitts'  Creek 
the  7th  of  Dec,  on  a  Thanksgiving  Day  appointed  by  Congress. 

Dec.  10,  1780. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill  on 
Jude  again.  Left  one  head  of  doctrine  for  the  next  time.  Pub- 
lished a  couple  and  came  here  and  dined.  Old  Hannah's  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  parson  in  the  afternoon.  The  text 
was — "  Now  is  the  day  of  salvation." 

Jan.  21,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Isa.,  64th 
Chapter,  7th  verse — a  very  good  sermon.  He  gave  out  word  there 
would  be  a  funeral  sermon  at  the  Great  Salt  Works,  the  next 
Thursday,  The  same  Sabbath  evening,  Mr.  McMaster  married 
Mr.  Thomas  Sharp  to  Rebecca  Bell  at  her  house,  and  her  first 
husband  is  still  living.  Such  another  matching  is  unheard  of  be- 
fore, I  think.  On  Thursday,  January  25,  1781,  Mr.  McMaster 
preached  James  Richardson's  funeral  sermon  at  the  Great  Salt 
Works.  The  text  was  chosen  by  the  deceased  person  in  Job,  5th 
Chapter,  26th  and  27th  verses;  hymns  sung  very  suitable — the 
third  hymn  in  the  second  book  and  the  63rd  in  the  same.  The 
parson  and  we  sisters  and  Mrs.  Robins  all  dined  at  brother 
George's. 

Feb.  3,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  a  funeral  sermon. 
Text,  Kccles.,  nth  Chapter,  9th  verse — "Rejoice,  oh  young 
man,  in  thy  youth."  A  good  sermon.  He  gave  an  exhortation 
at  the  grave. 


i8 

Feb.  4,  1781 . — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Psalms,  22nd,  25th  verse.     A  good  sermon. 

Feb.  18,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Jude,  last  head  on  predestination,  and  finished  all  the  heads  of 
doctrine  he  first  proposed.  He  came  here  to-night,  and  at  prayers 
read  Ezekiel  about  the  sour  grapes. 

Apr.  I,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Acts,  1 6th  Chapter,  30th  and  31st  verses.  Sung  Psalm  32nd, 
common  metre.     Parson  was  clerk  for  this  psalm. 

Apr.  15,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Gal.,  6th 
Chapter,  14th  verse — a  good  sermon — two  heads  of  doctrine.  The 
parson  gave  out  word  that  Monday  was  appointed  by  Congress  as 
a  Fast  Day  for  the  calamities. 

Apr.  29,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  a  good  sermon  on 
the  carnal  man. 

May  3,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Hebrews, 
nth  Chapter,  25th  verse.  Sung  the  i8th  Psalm.  A  political 
sermon. 

May  13,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  ist  Samuel, 
2nd  Chapter,  30th  verse,  latter  clause — three  heads  of  doctrine. 
It  was  one  of  the  best  sermons  Mr.  McMaster  has  preached  in  my 
hearing.  He  gave  out  that  this  day  fortnight  he  should  adminis- 
ter the  Sacrament  at  Rehoboth. 

June  10,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached,  and  he  and  Mr. 
Ker  administered  the  Sacrament. 

June  17,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached — a  good  sermon. 

JUI.Y  I,  1 78 1.  Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  St.  lyUke, 
12th  Chapter,  4th  and  5th  verses,  concerning  fear. 

July  15,  1781.  —Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Solomon's 
Song,  2nd  Chapter  and  15th  verse — the  little  foxes;  three  heads 
of  doctrine — a  spiritual  sermon. 

Monday,  the  6th  of  August,  178 1,  Mr.  Ker  joined  in  holy 
matrimony  Mr.  Samuel  McMaster  and  Miss  Nancy  Gillet. 

Aug.  26,  1781.— Mr.  McMaster  preached  from  Matt.,  5:34. 
The  minister  read  the  whole  chapter. 

Sept.  29,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Hag.,  2nd 
Chapter,  7th  verse,  middle  clause.  Sung  suitable  psalms,  and 
gave  out  that  the  Sacrament  would  be  administered  here  this  day 
two  weeks,  and  the  Thursday  before  would  be  the  Fast  Day. 


19 

Thursday,  Fast  Day. — Mr.  McMaster  and  his  wife  came,  but 
he  had  the  ague  so  that  he  did  not  preach. 

Oct.  7,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  6th  of  St. 
John,  verse  3rd.  Mr,  McMaster  slept  here  and  went  to  Capt. 
Bowdoin  Robin's  this  evening.  Sabbath  morning  of  the  Sacra- 
ment, Mr.  McMaster  married  a  couple. 

Oct.  21,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  would  have  preached  but  on 
this  day  the  news  of  Cornwallis'  being  captured  came  to  town. 

Nov.  4,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached  at  Snow  Hill.  Text, 
Isaiah,  40th  Chapter  and  29th  verse — a  Whiggish  sermon  and 
good,  as  they  say.     I  was  not  there. 

Nov.  18,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Bzekiel, 
33rd,  nth  verse,  latter  clause.     Baptized  a  child. 

Dec.  2,  1 78 1. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  2nd  Tim- 
othy, 3rd  Chapter,  4th  verse — a  good  sermon.  Mr.  McMaster  read 
the  Congress  Proclamation  for  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  for  the 
estimable  blessings  we  have  received  of  Almighty  God,  and 
for  the  capture  of  Cornwallis,  and  appointed  the  13th  day 
of  Dec.  that  he  should  preach  at  Snow  Hill.  That  day  he  pub- 
lished a  couple. 

Thursday,  Dec.  13,  1781. —  Mr.  McMaster  preached  the 
Thanksgiving  sermon.  Text,  Psalm  57,  2nd  verse,  and  read 
the  whole  psalm. 

Dec.  16,  1781. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Romans 
8:11.  Sung  a  psalm  and  gave  out  there  would  not  be  a  sermon 
for  four  weeks,  as  he  should  preach  at  Reboboth. 

Jan.  27,  1782. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Solomon's 
Song,  I  St  Chapter,  4th  verse,  ist  clause.  Sung  beautiful  psalms 
and  published  a  couple  the  last  time. 

Feb.  24,  1782.  Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  2d  Peter, 
3d  Chapter,  loth  verse — a  good  sermon — three  heads  of  doctrine. 

March  24,  1782. — Mr.  McMaster  preached.  Text,  Mala- 
chi,  last  Chapter,  2d  verse.  Sung  suitable  psalms.  Published  a 
couple  last  time.  Parson  went  that  evening  to  marry  them.  The 
parson  was  at  our  house. 


20 


The  Old  Makemie  Desk. 


BY  REV.  Dr.  L,.  P.  BOWEN. 


This  venerable  piece  of  furniture,  of  solid  mahogany,  remark- 
able in  itself,  and  the  only  surviving  Makemie  relic,  was  discovered 
and  identified  by  me  in  1878,  and  it  came  into  my  possession  in 
1883. 

Taken  from  the  records  of  Accomack  County,  Virginia, where 
they  may  be  seen,  I  have  copies  of  the  will  and  inventory  of 
Madame  Anne  Holden,  our  pioneer's  daughter — the  former  dated 
November  15,  1787,  and  the  latter  September  29,  1789.  In  both 
of  these  documents  the  mahogany  desk  is  mentioned.  All  these 
facts  are  put  upon  permanent  record  in  the  Appendix  to  ' '  The 
Days  of  Makemie,"  published  by  the  Presbyterian  Board. 

The  will  contains  this  bequest:  'I  give  to  the  Rev.  Samuel 
McMaster  the  sum  of  forty-six  pounds,  a  mahogany  desk,  a  bed 
and  furniture,  and  a  negro  woman  called  Keziah  and  her  children." 
At  the  death  of  her  pastor,  it  became  the  property  of  his  son, 
Samuel  McMaster,  Ksq.,  and  at  his  vendue  it  disappeared,  his 
heirs  too  young  at  the  time  to  know  its  value.  His  son,  John  T. 
B.  McMaster,  M.  D.,  grandson  of  Madame  Holden' s  pastor,  re- 
membered it  well  and  always  said  he  could  prove  the  fact  by  his 
familiarity  with  its  very  peculiar  secret  drawers  and  springs.  Dr. 
McMaster,  a  man  of  fine  intelligence  and  prominence,  had  greatly 
assisted  me  in  my  investigations  of  the  traditions  and  court  records 
of  the  adjoining  counties. 

The  whole  community  had  known  of  the  desk  and  its  fame, 
and  yet  very  strangely  it  had  utterly  vanished  from  public  power 
to  locate  it.     Some  of  us  had  been  trying  to  trace  it  for  years. 

Finally,  like  many  of  my  successes,  I  struck  accidentally, 
as  we  say,  upon  the  old  desk.  During  a  pastoral  visit  to  one  of 
the  historic  families  in  the  country  near  Pocomoke  City,  Maryland, 
I  was  telling  enthusiastically  of  some  of  my  late  discoveries,  when 
an  old  gentleman  sitting  in  the  room  quietly,  but  intently  listen- 
ing, said:  "All  this  sounds  very  familiar.  My  father  knew  a 
great  deal  about  those  Presbyterians.     Besides,  I  have  at  my 


21 

house  a  wonderful  mahogany  desk  which  belonged  to  the  very 
people  you  are  talking  about." 

Of  course  I  was  aroused.  He  told  me  that  he  had  bought 
the  desk  for  two  dollars  and  a  half  at  Mr.  Samuel  McMaster's 
auction,  and  that  it  was  no  modern  or  ordinary  piece  of  furniture; 
that  all  his  money  was  in  it,  and  that  I  could  have  the  money  if 
I  could  find  it! 

I  went  home  with  the  aged  gentleman  and  he  showed  me 
through  the  secrets  of  the  concealed  springs  and  drawers.  It  was 
such  as  we  read  about.  Here  the  old  Presbyterians  of  the  past 
had  hidden  their  gold  and  treasures.  The  owner  now  was  this 
Mr.  John  B.  White,  a  citizen  of  character  and  much  respected. 

I  drove  to  town  immediately,  and  took  Dr.  McMaster  out  to 
see  the  desk.  On  entering  its  presence  his  face  brightened,  recog- 
nizing it  at  once  as  known  in  his  boyhood,  and  he  said,  "Now 
don't  hint  a  word,  and  I  will  prove  my  acquaintance,  for  no  one 
not  familiar  with  it  could  ever  find  its  secrets." 

And  the  doctor  readily  opened  all  the  hidden  drawers,  to  our 
delight.  He  was  much  afiected  by  this  eloquent  reminder  of  his 
childhood  and  his  ancestry.  He  and  my  court  documents  made 
the  identification  complete. 

I  said  to  Mr.  White,  "  Bring  it  to  the  parsonage  to-morrow,  and 
I  will  give  you  twenty -five  dollars  for  it — ten  times  what  it  cost 
you."  But  we  had  enthused  too  much,  and  the  old  gentleman 
was  concluding  that  he  owed  a  bonanza.  His  good  wife  said, 
"  By  all  means  let  Mr.  Bowen  have  it.  We  are  Baptists,  and  can- 
not appreciate  it  as  the  Presbyterians  would.  Mr.  Bowen's  heart 
is  in  the  history,  and  he  ought  to  own  the  desk." 

But  it  wouldn't  work.  Afterward  I  offered  $30,  but  he  was 
coy.  The  Presbyterian  Historical  Society  authorized  me  to  offer 
$50  for  them.  This  I  never  did,  for  I  had  written  a  description  of 
the  ancient  relic  for  the  Philadelphia  Presbyterian,  v^hichhronght 
some  enthusiasts  down  from  the  city  to  see  it,  and  they  told 
Mr.  White  it  was  worth  $500!  Thus  I  had  defeated  my  plans 
and  hopes. 

All  this  while  Mrs.  White  was  urging  that  the  Presbyterian 
Church  or  myself  should  own  it.  So  I  kept  ray  eye  on  it  and 
waited. 

In  1880  I  returned  to  Missouri,  and  three  years  after  a  letter 
came  from  Mrs.  White  telling  of  the  death  of  her  husband,  and 


22 

saying  that  she  wanted  me  to  have  the  desk  at  my  former  offer  of 
$30,  [the  legally  appraised  value  in  the  inventory  of  the  estate  of 
Madame  Holden].  I  was  absent,  and  my  wife  hurried  off  the 
money  and  made  me  a  present  of  the  noble  old  landmark.  It 
came  during  the  winter  when  I  was  writing  my  memorial  to 
Makemie,  and  no  one  but  myself  can  estimate  the  joy  and  inspira- 
tion which  it  brought. 

Thus  through  the  goodness  of  two  good  women,  both  sainted 
now,  Mrs.  White  and  Mrs.  Bowen,  the  only  relic  of  the  Father  of 
American  Presbyterianism  has  come  into  the  filial  care  of  the 
Church  which  is  his  child  and  heir. 

And  in  donating  the  desk  to  the  Seminary  [Union  Theological  of 
Richmond,  Virginia],  in  the  bounds  of  the  State  where  Francis 
Makemie  lived  and  died  and  lies  buried,  I  would  like  for  the 
memory  of  Ellen  Powell  Bowen  to  be  connected  with  it.  I  give  it 
in  her  name. — [From  Central  Presbyterian^  Richmond,  Va.,July, 
igoo~\. 


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